7 Places for Long Island Apple Picking

Just as the leaves begin changing color, apples ripen to perfection. Harvest season is upon us, which means handpicked apples, sweet caramel and candied flavors and of course, delectable cider. Plan a trip to one of these popular Long Island apple-picking spots for a day filled with hardcore fall festivities.

Hop aboard the authentic Apple Express and ride through the 15-acre orchard in search of the perfect fruit. There are more than 24 different varieties to choose from, including Honeycrisp, Gala and Golden Delicious grown low enough for even the smallest hands to reach. The freshly made apple cider donuts at the farm stand are reason enough to make this a traditional visit. Go.

Milk Pail Farm and Orchard, Water Mill

Prepare your taste buds. Milk Pail Farm’s apples, which come in more than 20 assortments, are super-crisp and boast sweet-tart flavors. Saunter through the dwarf trees for your favorite McIntosh, Fuji or Red Delicious pairings. Fun fact: Milk Pail started out as a dairy farm (in case the name threw you for a loop). Go.

Wickham’s Fruit Farm, Cutchogue

image: bhofack2

As one of the largest farms on the North Fork, Wickham’s dedicates 200 of its 300 acres to growing fruits. It’s been selling some of the best berries, tree fruits and handpicked apples, which are used to make the stand’s lauded apple cider donuts, for more than 300 years. As for the cider, it’s prepared using the oldest cider press on the Island. Built in 1902, it’s clearly still a force to be reckoned with. Go.

Woodside Orchards, Aquebogue

Juicy, farm-fresh, flavor-sharp and aromatic apples come with the territory at this orchard. Woodside Orchards has nearly 30 varieties of apples to choose from including some that even regular apple aficionados may not be familiar with. Get ready to hunt for a new favorite. Afterwards, toast to your findings with a tasting of Woodside Orchards’ hard ciders. Go.

Lewin Farms, Calverton

You can never have too many apples…or raspberries, peaches, peppers and eggplants. While you’re out there, try to escape from Lewin Farms’ five-acre corn maze that is redesigned every year, even posing a challenge to their repeat customers. Go.

Fort Salonga Farm, Northport

Paula Red and Akane selections are aplenty at Fort Salonga, which is full of a variety of dwarf apple trees and a low-key vibe. The quaint village of Northport is just miles away from the farm, making Sunday afternoons a little more delightful. Go.

The Apple Orchard at Hank’s Pumpkintown, Water Mill

Ring in the fall with hayrides, corn mazes, duck races and a host of organic produce. The apple options are endless—choose from apple cider slushies, donuts and caramel or candy apples. Go.

Lipulse.com is your guide to fall fun. Check back all October for the best pumpkin patches and beers, harvest fests and wines.